MANILA, Philippines?Stars have come and gone in Hollywood. Some of them have their names, feet and hands imprinted in front of Tinseltown's Grauman's Theater. Their bigger-than-life personalities and impressive artistry have won them the adulation of generations of fans-so they continue to live on!

However, there have been actors whose stars shone for only a few years. Many of them may have long been forgotten, but a few are still remembered decades after their passing. For example, James Dean may have had a short career, but global interest in this rebel without a cause even escalated after his death. Similar stellar cases come to mind: Rudolf Valentino, Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe.

Dean represented the angst of the mid-'50s. Following the unconventional footsteps of Marlon Brando and Montgomery Clift, he embodied the look, stance and acting style identified with rebellion.

In the early '40s, Susan Peters, a pretty brunette from Washington, was well on her way to Hollywood stardom. In fact, she had already been nominated in 1942 for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance in the Ronald Colman starrer "Random Harvest." She likewise appeared in "Meet John Doe" and "Andy Hardy's Double Life," proving that she was indeed a most promising actress.

Here, however, it was in the "Song of Russia" where Peters won fans because, in that World War I film, she portrayed a talented Russian pianist who was in love with an American conductor, played by Robert Taylor. In the climax of the movie, her character plays Tchaikovsky's most beloved piano concerto. So, naturally, music-loving Filipinos appreciated the movie, as they did "A Song to Remember," the well-loved film bio on the tragic life of Chopin.

Injury

Unfortunately, in 1944, the actress was forever confined to a wheelchair after a riding accident that resulted in spinal cord injury.

Another notable actress, Louise Fletcher, is best remembered for her role as Nurse Ratched in Milos Forman's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." For her performance in the acclaimed drama, the actress-who was born to deaf parents-was proclaimed the Academy's Best Actress in 1975.

For unknown reasons, Fletcher's career slumped thereafter. Observers claimed that the actress' height-she stood 5'10"-was a liability. But, Vanessa Redgrave has the same height and has still enjoyed a long and illustrious career-and even Nicole Kidman is just as statuesque! Others claim that Fletcher is among the Academy Award winners who have experienced the so-called Oscar jinx after bagging the golden statuette.

Significant

Gloria Grahame was also a unique-looking sexpot. She won the Best Supporting Actress trophy for her performance in "The Bad and the Beautiful."

The slim Grahame specialized in "other woman" roles, but after she won the Academy Award, her career's luster dimmed. She is best remembered as the amusing cowgirl in the musical, "Oklahoma," who confessed that she was merely "A Girl Who Can't Say No"!